Magnusson Steps Down At West Ham

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Magnusson Steps Down At West Ham
Topic Started: Dec 13 2007, 02:25 PM (25 Views)
Born to Rune	Dec 13 2007, 02:25 PM Post #1
I love Bread - we knead the dough...... Posts: 1,948 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: August 16, 2007	Blimey, unless there was some sort of rumour going on around some of the fan sites - this wasn't expected was it? I have to admit, for all of the clubs takeover etc, I am still not convinced by the new owners at West Ham. Quote: Magnusson steps down at West Ham Eggert Magnusson has stepped down as chairman of West Ham and sold his stake in the Premier League club. Magnusson, who was part of the Icelandic consortium that bought the Hammers a year ago, had already quit as executive chairman in September. "Now that I need to focus a little more on my interests overseas, I think it is the right time to stand down," he said. Owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson has become chairman and executive chairman and has bought Magnusson's 5% shareholding. "Eggert Magnusson has done a tremendous job as chairman, often in difficult circumstances, since our consortium bought the club 12 months ago," said Gudmundsson, who the club says has invested a further Ł30.5m. "Eggert has decided to move on to new pastures and to pursue his other interests. We wish him well for the future and express our thanks for all that he has done for West Ham." Magnusson has had an eventful time with the Hammers over the last 12 months. Within weeks of taking over, manager Alan Pardew was sacked and, with Alan Curbishley at the helm, the club survived relegation by three points. Magnusson also had to deal with the long-running Carlos Tevez saga, which drew to a close when the Argentine striker completed his move to Manchester United after months of legal rows. However, Magnusson insisted: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here at West Ham. From the moment that Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson and I formed the consortium to bid for the club, it has been an honour to be involved. I am particularly delighted that we have been able to take the first real step in our plans for a new stadium "The last 12 months have not been without their challenges but I feel that we have emerged stronger and fitter as a club. "I would also like to pay tribute to the West Ham fans who, I believe, have shown themselves to be the best in the country. "My thanks to everybody who has worked with me in my time here and I wish the club every success for the future." Gudmundsson has expressed his determination to push ahead with a move to a new Ł250m, 60,000-seater stadium, with a site having been identified at an old Parcelforce depot next to West Ham tube station. "We are seeking to build some truly solid foundations for the future ambitions of West Ham," he added. "This is a great football club, with tremendous heritage and tradition and the most wonderful set of supporters. "My job as owner is to help plan for the future and create the right conditions off the field to help Alan Curbishley and the playing squad deliver success on the field. "I am particularly delighted that we have been able to take the first real step in our plans for a new stadium, which is crucial to the long-term ambitions of the club."



Wolverine	Dec 13 2007, 04:35 PM Post #2
Dangerous when provoked Posts: 4,695 Group: Admin Member #2 Joined: August 17, 2007	As a 'through thick & thin' WHU supporter, I have to say I'm not impressed either. The jury is still very much out and to be perfectly honest we need a new Manager and at least 4 more players! Curbishley is a good, solid performer but he seems to think aiming for mid-table medocirty is fine. Guess what? it's not. The purchases in the last transfer window (bar 3) were appalling and we seem to continuously have players out with groin injuries / operations. I attribute this to buying ageing / injured players and outdated training methods. We are West ham ffs not Charlton! (A little peeved as you can tell LOL) Oh, and yes, meant to say - the rumours about eggy's departure have been floating around for a while on West Ham sites.



Born to Rune	Dec 13 2007, 04:51 PM Post #3
I love Bread - we knead the dough...... Posts: 1,948 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: August 16, 2007	I don't blame you Wolvie. As someone whose club had the Chairman from hell for many years with Doug Ellis, I can fully understand the frustrations when you don't see progress you thought was coming along. For example - Aston Villa was taken over 18 months ago now. Randy Lerner has subsequently bankrolled the development of the new training ground, with a lot of equipment never seen in this country but is used a lot by the NHL (He is also the Cleveland Browns owner). Sure, the initial plans were from Ellis, but he stopped building at a very early stage and a lot of what happened since then came from Lerners ideas and changes, and so cost considerably more. But - it has meant we've seen improvements in injuries. Players returning quicker, those who've had previously serious injuries seem to be playing as well now as ever...... and a facility that is now not only as good as Chelseas new training ground, the two are now almost certainly the best in the world between them! We've got a chairman who hasn't borrowed against the club purchase or other improvements! Hell, he spent 4 million renovating the Holte Hotel which is the first thing you see as you approach the Villa ground for most people. It was in real danger of collapse, and had he not stepped in when he did, they reckon it wouldn't have lasted another 12 months! It might not seem much, but its part of our history as well as our future. He isn't going to move from Villa Park. Instead they are looking at a massive number of viable alternatives that will allow for the grounds expansion, but still ensure we have the facilities for the visiting crowd on match day. An underground car park is being talked about for example. We've got a manager who - well honestly is the media darling at the moment. No, he doesn't get it right every single game, and he is excruciatingly painful to be around as a fan during transfer windows. But we were told that by a lot of Celtic and Leicester fans when he first came. So, you have to accept that is just the way he deals with things. What he does do though is bring out the best in players. For example Gabby Agboblahor - a great prospect - but a very unfinished product still. The rough diamond. But - in the last 18 months, he has come along incredibly well, and while still not the finished article - is still improving under MON. Players who others believe aren't any good generally just seem to go up another step when he takes them on. And finally, we've got the most incredible and immediate communication with the club through one of the Non Executive Directors, The General! A real life, former Marine General who knew Lerners father and has worked for him over the years amongst other things after leaving the army (he still also does consult on matters in the US on national security etc). And he talks to us directly on fan boards! No bullshit - just straight out talking from him. Letting us know what can be achieved, what he can't tell us and also what he has taken back to the Club, after feedback and suggestions from fans - and changed things! Okay, we've not paid out as much as some clubs of late, but sometimes massive spending in the transfer window isn't going to always guarantee success. We've been told MON and Lerner are both! (unusually for a chairman these days) looking at a 5 year building program, and so far both seem happy to allow it to happen at its own pace and aren't being swayed by other pressures. It feels really good to be a Villa fans these days and Ellis might not have always done the right thing while he was in charge, but he sure as hell sold to the right man when he did leave!



Wolverine	Dec 13 2007, 04:57 PM Post #4
Dangerous when provoked Posts: 4,695 Group: Admin Member #2 Joined: August 17, 2007	Hopefully our "new" chairman will look at what is really happening and make significant change. But at least we now know why Jose said no to England, he's just waiting for our call ROFLMAO



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